Web-based common use terminal with multiple application servers

ABSTRACT

A web-based common use terminal, e.g. a kiosk of an item delivery and retrieval system utilizing a web connection with one or more web servers for respective delivery service providers with any desired number of applications being separately run, depending upon the needs of a user. In a preferred embodiment, four discrete application including package pick-up, package exchange, buying postage, and club type delivery and pick-up of discrete items, are hosted while using the same system hardware.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application is a Non-Provisional application including thesubject matter and claiming the priority date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofProvisional Application Serial No. 60/278,656, filed on Mar. 21, 2001,the contents of which are meant to be incorporated herein by reference.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0002] This application is related to Non-Provisional application U.S.Ser. No. 09/817,375, entitled “Item Delivery And Retrieval System”,filed in the names of David J. Tilles et al. on Mar. 27, 2001, whichclaims priority of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/220,842, filedon Jul. 26, 2000 and Provisional Application 60/265,875, filed on Feb.5, 2001. This application is also assigned to the assignee of thesubject application. The contents of this related application is alsomeant to be specifically incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates generally to a digital computer systemincluding a browser based terminal for executing multiple applicationsand, more particularly, to a web-page based common use interface forhosting multiple independent software applications on the same hardwareplatform.

[0005] 2. Description of Related Art

[0006] Internet type systems linking one or more software programscalled web browsers residing in a digital computer or platform and oneor more software programs called servers for implementing one or morespecific functions called applications is generally well known. Abrowser is a client program that typically uses the Hypertext TransferProtocol to make requests of web server(s) throughout the Internet onbehalf of the browser. A server, on the other hand, is a program thatfulfills the request of a client program of a browser.

[0007] In such an environment, various types of tasks or applicationsare known to have been implemented for supporting a variety of services,for example, ATM transactions, point-of-sale transactions and thedispensing of postage.

[0008] In the above-referenced related application U.S. Ser. No.09/817,375, entitled “Item Delivery And Retrieval System” there isdisclosed a secure item and delivery/return (IDRS) system which permitsa user such as a customer to retrieve undelivered items or return itemsat a specified location without human intervention on demand. Typically,a customer receives some type of notification that an undeliverable itemis stored at a remote location where there is located an item deliveryretrieval system which includes apparatus for holding one or more items.When it is convenient, the customer subsequently travels to the locationof the system and retrieves the items.

[0009] The aforesaid IDRS system includes a storage sub-system and acomputer sub-system. The storage sub-system provides an item storage anddelivery environment including a secure enclosure having an item storagecarousel including control apparatus as well as a set of sensors. Acomputer sub-system is embodied in a user access terminal, such as akiosk, which hosts web-page based customize application software forimplementing an application interface of selectively configurableapplication interface controls for providing user access to the carouselvia one or more storage bins located behind a set of normally closeddoors which are selectively opened and then closed for items storage andretrieval, provides access control to the bins, and manages the locationof items in the storage sub-system. The doors are open when properidentification is provided by user so as to permit access only tospecified designated bin locations.

[0010] The system also includes web browser software which interfaceswith one or more servers over the internet to exchange data, retrievedocuments, and display web pages. In addition to browser softwareresiding in the user access terminal, the terminal also includes ascreen which may be a touch screen as well as other option devices suchas a bar code reader, credit/debit card reader, pin pad, printer,signature pad, and one or more security cameras.

SUMMARY

[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea web-page based common use interface which hosts multiple, independentsoftware applications on the same hardware platform.

[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a self-serviceuser access terminal which operates in a shared common use environment.

[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a common useshared browser device which can execute multiple applications whileusing the same peripheral devices.

[0014] It is still another object of the invention to provide aself-service user access terminal in the form of a kiosk of an itemdelivery and retrieval system which hosts multiple independent softwareapplications while sharing the same peripheral devices.

[0015] These and other objects are achieved by a web-page based commonuse interface embodied in and executed on a platform such as an itemdelivery and retrieval system including browser software located in acommon use access terminal which executes multiple independent softwareapplications with the multiple applications running on respective serverprograms, including multiple package servers from discrete deliveryservice providers. In a preferred embodiment, four discrete applicationsincluding, but not limited to, package pick-up, package exchange, buyingpostage, and club type delivery and pick-up of discrete items, arehosted while using the same system hardware. Each application islaunched from a main touch screen of the common use access terminalwhich, in the aforesaid item delivery and retrieval system, is in theform of a kiosk. Upon selection of one of the four applications, theselected application web server program takes control of the system andits peripherals for the balance of the particular session. During asession, no other server can use the kiosk or its peripherals, nor canany other user interact with another server. At the conclusion of theexecution of the application, common use software in the kiosk clearsall sensitive data where necessary so that another user cannot retrievethe data.

[0016] Further scope of applicability of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. Itshould be understood, however, that the detailed description andspecific examples, while disclosing the preferred embodiment andapplications executed in accordance with the invention, they areprovided by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description provided hereinafter, when considered together withthe accompanying drawings which are provided by way of illustrationonly, and wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrative of the system architectureof an item delivery and retrieval system comprising the hardwareplatform in accordance with the subject invention which hosts multiple,independent software applications;

[0019]FIG. 2 is an end elevational view generally illustrative of avertical carousel and kiosk shown in FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the vertical carousel shownin FIG. 1 further depicting a kiosk mounted on the front thereof, aswell as a plurality of access doors therefor;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view further illustrative of thekiosk shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a system block diagram illustrative of the inventiveconcept of the subject invention wherein a common use terminal sharesperipherals with four discrete service provider server applications;

[0023]FIG. 6 is illustrative of a flow diagram of a package pick-upapplication executed in accordance with the subject invention by oneserver applications shown in FIG. 5;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrative of a postage purchaseapplication executed in accordance with the subject invention by anotherserver application shown in FIG. 5;

[0025]FIG. 9 is illustrative of a flow chart of a package exchangeapplication executed by yet another server application shown in FIG. 5;and

[0026]FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrative of a Club Type applicationexecuted by still another server application shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, shown thereat is a block diagrampartially illustrative of the web enabled item storage and retrievalsystem shown and disclosed in the above referenced related application,U.S. Ser. No. 09/817,375, which is incorporated herein in its entiretyfor illustrating the preferred embodiment of a common use hardwareplatform for hosting multiple independent software applications whichwill be described hereinafter.

[0028]FIG. 1, moreover, is illustrative of the architecture for an itemand delivery retrieval system (IDRS) 10 including, among other things, astorage sub-system 12 and a computer sub-system 14. The computersub-system 14 includes computer apparatus having software, such asbrowser software 16, also referred to simply as a browser, and which isinternet web-page based. The browser software 16 resides in a useraccess terminal in the form of a kiosk 18 having a screen 20 whichincludes a touch selection mode for selection of an application to besubsequently described.

[0029] The kiosk 18 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 mounted on the front of avertical carousel 22 which includes multiple bins, not shown, and whichare accessible via an arrangement of access doors 24. Access to thecarousel 22 is provided by way of the kiosk 18 through a carouselcontroller and sensor sub-system 26 via a control bus 27. Peripheraldevices are also associated with the kiosk 18, and includes, among otherthings, a magnetic card reader 28, a printer 30, a PIN number pad 32, abar code reader 34, and a signature pad 36, also, one or more userobservation cameras 38.

[0030] Further as shown in FIG. 1, a master server 40 supports andstores set(s) of web pages 42 which are connected directly to thebrowser software of the kiosk 18 by way of a direct connection signalpath 43 through the internet (or, when desirable, intranet) 44 or adial-up connection via signal path 45 including a modem 46. A web server48 including sets of web pages 50, is also shown connected back to themaster server 40 either by way of a direct internet connection viasignal path 49 or a dial-up connection through internet 44 via signalpath 51 and modem 52. Web server 48 is also connected to the browsersoftware 16 of the kiosk 18 by way of a direct signal path 53 connectedto the signal bus 41 or a dial-up connection by way of a signal path 54and a modem 55.

[0031] The master server 40 includes a centralized data base for theIDRS system 10 for storing, among other things, data including usere-mail addresses, user account/or loyalty card information, item status,and other information needed to operate the IDRS system 10 and, whendesirable, one or more application programs which reside in the webpages 42. The web server 48 is shown comprising a single web server,but, when desirable, may be comprised of a multiplicity of web servers,each including web pages for storing one or more specific applicationprogram depending upon the needs of the user. To enhance performance inthe preferred embodiment of the subject invention, web pages for one ormore specific application programs as shown by reference number 57 maybe stored in the kiosk 18. and are displayable, on demand, on the screen20.

[0032] The foregoing has been presented as background information forunderstanding the inventive concept which is now to be described. A moredetailed description and understanding of the IDRS system 10 can beobtained by reference to the above-referenced related application U.S.Ser. No. 09/817,375.

[0033] Considering now FIGS. 5-10, FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of thesubject invention wherein multiple discrete applications are executed onthe same hardware platform, i.e., the kiosk 18 of the IDRS system 10shown in FIG. 1. The browser 16 residing in the kiosk 18 hosts multipleapplications running on multiple server software residing in either theweb pages 42 of the master server 40, web pages 50 of the web server 48,or the web pages 57 of the kiosk 18. As shown in FIG. 5, four (4)discrete applications are hosted by the browser 16. The applications arerun on individual server software programs as shown by referencenumerals 56, 58, 60 and 62. In the preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention, all four of the server programs 56, 58, 60 and 62 reside inthe web pages 50 of the web server 48.

[0034] The first server application 56 is a “package pick up”application which implements package pick-up service based on connectionacross the network operating on a server program in the web pages 50 ofthe web server 48 linked to a package tracking number that may becontained in a bar code identifier on a package which resides in thecarousel 22. Typically, the package is being stored after unsuccessfuldelivery on the part of a delivery service.

[0035] The second server application 58 comprises an electronic “BuyPostage” application including electron stamp printing. In thisapplication which resides in the web pages 50 of the web server 48, theserver 58 does not require the use of the IDRS carousel 22, but only theperipherals surrounding the kiosk 18.

[0036] The third server application 60 comprises a “Package Exchange”application residing in the web pages 50 of the web server for networkeddevices used for unattended exchange of packages using PIN numbers viathe PIN pad 32 at the kiosk 18.

[0037] The fourth server application 62 comprises a “Club Type Deliveryand Pick Up” application included in the web pages 50 of the web serversrequiring a loyalty card and a form of membership to access the carousel22 and may operate stand alone without a network connection.

[0038] It should be noted that server applications 56, 60 and 62 allshare the same carousel real estate in an individual secure manner.Although four applications are shown and described, any number ofapplications more or less than four, such as only one application couldbe implemented when desired. Whatever the number, each application shownin FIG. 5 is launched or entered from the kiosk 18 via touch selectionof the screen 20.

[0039] Upon selection of any one of the four applications shown in FIG.6, the server software 56, 58, 60 and 62 (FIG. 5) of the selectedapplication takes control of the system 10 including the peripheraldevices for the balance of the session. The software server of eachapplication allows only that server to control the peripherals throughthe use of ActiveX Control type drivers shown and described for examplein related application U.S. Ser. No. 09/817,375.

[0040] ActiveX control is well known in the art of digital computertechnology. It is a programming language including a set of rules forhow applications should share information and can be automaticallydownloaded from a server, e.g. the web server 48 (FIG. 1) and executedor run, for example, by the web browser 16 located in the kiosk 18.ActiveX controls have full access to an operating system in the subjectinvention using web pages from the server 48 and are used to implementspecific control functions as will be described hereinafter.

[0041] When the “Buy Postage” icon 66, for example, is selected from themain touch screen 20 shown in FIG. 6, the browser software 16 of thekiosk 18 goes to the web server 48 across the internet 44, forms asecure connection either by the direct signal path 53 or by way of thedial-up connection involving signal path 54 and the modem 55, and thenallows that server software 58 to use ActiveX control at the kiosk 18 touse the card swipe peripheral 28 to read information from a credit card,for example, which the browser 16 passes to the web server 48. Afterverification by the web server 48, ActiveX controls use the reservedkiosk peripheral, in this case the printer 30, to print bit maps ofpostage desired. Once the kiosk browser 16 has confirmed successfulprinting, the session with the user terminates and the kiosk 18 returnsto the application's main page. Next, the ActiveX control portion ofbrowser software 16 of the kiosk 18 permanently clears all sensitivedata from the postage transaction from the kiosk memory, not shown, sothat no other application can embed code to retrieve it. This featureprovides an environment for multiple users and multiple applications tosecurely share the kiosk resources in a common use interface.

[0042] Once the “Buy Postage” application has been completed, the kiosk18 including the browser 16 and its peripherals are available foranother user with the same application or another application.

[0043] If the next user again selects the “Purchase Postage” applicationby pressing the “Buy Postage” icon 66, a totally new postage transactionis entered into with no way to compromise the security of trustedrelationship between the postage server, the common used peripherals,and the first user. The second user establishes his/her own securetrusted relationship between kiosk 18, web server 48, and the kiosk'scommon use peripherals, e.g., the printer 30.

[0044] If, on the other hand, a user goes to the main screen 20 andselects an IDRS application to “Pick Up Packages” by pressing the icon64 (FIG. 6), the kiosk browser 16 establishes a new web based connectionwith the unique package service server software 56, shown in FIG. 5located in the web server 48. This package service server software nowuses ActiveX control residing in the browser software 16 of kiosk 18 totake total control of the shared common used peripherals of the kiosk18, including the card swipe device 28, printer 30, as well as controlof the carousel 22 until completion of the transaction has been made bythe user. During this session, no other server software, for exampleserver software 58, 60 and 62, can use the kiosk 18 or its peripherals.Also, during each session such as in the “package exchange application”,no server or user can access information about previous transactions onthe kiosk 18. At the completion of the transaction, kiosk common usesoftware permanently clears all sensitive data from the postedtransaction from the kiosk memory so that no one can retrieve it.

[0045] Considering now the flow diagrams associated with the fourapplications described above, the flow chart shown in FIG. 7 disclosesthe various steps involved in executing the “package pick up”application. As shown by step 72 following “start”, a user selects thepackage pick-up application by pressing the icon 64 (FIG. 6) on thescreen 20. Next, the “package pick-up” server software 56 uses anActiveX control from the browser software 16 in the kiosk 18 to requesttracking number information from the user as shown by step 74. Next, theuser inputs a tracking number on the kiosk 18 via the bar code reader 34or touch screen 20 via step 76. The package pick up server software 56residing in the web server 48 validates the PIN information added, forexample, by way of the PIN pad 32 per step 78. Following this, thepackage pick-up server 56 runs ActiveX controls on the kiosk 18 to openone or more of the carousel doors 24 (FIG. 3) as shown by step 80. Thisis followed by step 82 in which the carousel 22 opens the door 24containing the package including the tracking number. The serversoftware 56 then receives a confirm pick-up command from the kiosk 18per step 84, which is followed by step 86, whereupon the kiosk 18returns to the application's main page on the screen 20. This isfollowed by step 88, whereupon the kiosk 18 ActiveX controls clearsmemory and returns to the top level screen as shown in FIG. 6.

[0046] With reference to the “Purchase Postage” application, the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 begins with the user selecting the purchasepostage application by pressing icon 66 (FIG. 6). In step 90, the serversoftware 58 requests “information” from the magnetic card swipe devicethrough ActiveX control at the kiosk 18 per step 92. Next, as shown bystep 94, the user performs a magnetic card swipe at the kiosk 18 via thecard reader 28. Next, the web server 48 validates credit information asshown by step 58, whereupon the server 48 executes ActiveX control atthe kiosk 18 to print postage at the kiosk 18 per step 98. This isfollowed by the printer 30 at the kiosk printing postage as shown bystep 100. The server software 58 next receives a print confirmation fromthe kiosk browser software 16 at step 102, whereupon the kiosk returnsthe application's main page per step 104, which is followed by the kiosk18 again clearing the memory and returning to the top level screen ofthe touch screen 20, via step 106.

[0047] Considering now the “package exchange” application, reference ismade to FIG. 9 where the flow chart indicates that the user firstselects the package exchange application as shown by step 108 bypressing the icon 68 shown in FIG. 6. This is followed by the exchangeserver software 60 (FIG. 5) residing in the web server 48, requesting aPIN ID number from the user via ActiveX control at the kiosk 18 per step110. This is followed by step 112, whereupon the user inputs his/her PINID on the kiosk PIN pad 32 or by way of the touch screen 20. Theexchange server software 60 then validates the PIN information in step114, which is followed by the web server 48 using the kiosk 18 ActiveXcontrols to open the carousel door(s) 24 shown by step 116. One or moreof the carousel doors 24 next opens, containing the package with PIN IDper step 118, where the package is retrieved or a return package isinserted in its place or a return package is simply inserted in the doorfor an exchange. This is followed by step 120, where the server software60 receives a pick-up confirmation command from kiosk 18 at step 120,which is followed by step 122, where the kiosk 18 returns to theapplication's main screen and finally the kiosk clears memory andreturns to the top level screen per step 124.

[0048] With respect to the fourth application termed “Club Type Deliveryand Pick-Up”, the user at step 126 selects the club type application viaicon 70 of FIG. 6. The server software 62 (FIG. 5) residing in the webserver 48 uses the ActiveX control at the kiosk 18 to request memoryinformation from the magnetic card swipe device 28. The user thenperforms a magnetic card swipe operation as shown by step 130 at thecard reader 28, whereupon the web server 48 validates memory informationin accordance with step 132. Next, the server software 62 uses thekiosk's 18 ActiveX controls to open one or more of the doors 24 of thecarousel 22, as shown by step 134. Following this, the carousel 22 opensa door containing the members package shown by step 136 which isfollowed by the web server 48 receiving a pick-up confirmation commandfrom the kiosk browser 16 software per step 138. Again, this is followedby the kiosk 18 returning to the applicant's main screen per step 140which is followed by the step of clearing memory and returning to thetop level screen 20 as shown by step 142.

[0049] Thus what has been shown and described is a self-service kiosk 18operating in a shared common use environment with an item delivery andretrieval system 10 including a storage carousel 22. Common use sharedbrowser software operates with multiple package service providers aswell as a postage provider utilizing shared peripherals of the itemdelivery and retrieval system.

[0050] The foregoing detailed description merely illustrates theprinciples of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that thoseskilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements, whichalthough not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principlesof the invention and are thus within its spirit and scope.

What is claimed:
 1. A digital computing system for implementing multipleindependent applications on a common hardware platform, comprising: aweb based common use access terminal including an application selectiondevice for launching an application by a user; a web browser located inthe common use access terminal including browser software responding touser activation of the application selection device for hosting one ormore of said applications; and one or more web servers respectivelyincluding server software connected by way of a secure web connection tothe browser for running one or more application programs depending onthe needs of a user by taking exclusive control of the system as well ascontrolling one or more peripheral devices located at the common useaccess terminal.
 2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein theserver software uses ActiveX controls residing in the browser softwarelocated in the common use access terminal to control the system and forcontrolling one or more of the peripheral devices for the duration of aselected application.
 3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein thesoftware of said browser and the software of said one or more webservers include web pages.
 4. The system as set forth in claim 1 whereinapplication selection device includes a screen providing a display ofsaid applications.
 5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein saidscreen displays a selectable menu of said applications.
 6. The system asset forth in claim 1 wherein the application selection device includes atouch screen whereby the user can manually select an application of saidone or more applications.
 7. The system as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe common use access terminal comprises one member of an item deliveryand storage system.
 8. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein thecommon use access terminal comprises a kiosk.
 9. The system as set forthin claim 8 wherein said item delivery and storage system includes asecure item storage device having access thereto controlled by anapplication launched from the kiosk.
 10. The system as set forth inclaim 9 wherein said storage device comprises a carousel containing aplurality of storage bins normally hidden by a set of doors controlledby an application of said one or more application programs.
 11. Thesystem as set forth in claim 8 wherein said one or more applicationprograms include at least one application program for accessing the itemdelivery and storage system and one application programs for buyingpostage.
 12. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said one or moreapplication programs include a package pick-up application, a packageexchange application, a postage buying application, and a club typeapplication for pick-up and delivery.
 13. The system as set forth inclaim 12 wherein all of the application programs are run on a common webserver.
 14. The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of theapplication programs are run on individual web servers.
 15. The systemas set forth in claim 12 wherein one of said application programs residesingly in one of said web servers.
 16. The system as set forth in claim15 wherein said one application program comprises the postage buyingapplication.
 17. The system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the postagebuying application program controls one of said peripheral devices forprinting of postage at the common use access terminal.
 18. The system asset forth in claim 7 and wherein the peripheral devices include amagnetic card reader, a printer, a PIN number pad.
 19. The computersystem as set forth in claim 18 wherein the peripheral devicesadditionally include a bar code reader and a signature pad.
 20. A methodof executing one or more independent software application programs froma common use terminal of a hardware platform including a computersub-system, comprising the steps of: launching an application program bybrowser software located in a common use access terminal by a useractivating application program selection means located thereat; forminga secure web based connection between the browser software and webserver software of a web server running said application program;assuming exclusive control of the platform including one or moreperipheral devices associated therewith by said web server softwareusing control software residing in the browser software at the commonuse access terminal for the duration of the application program; and atthe end of the application program, clearing all sensitive data relatingto the application from the computer sub-system for subsequent use byanother user.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the hardware platformcomprises an item delivery and storage system including said computersub-system and a storage sub-system.
 22. The method of claim 21 whereinthe common use access terminal comprises a kiosk.
 23. The method ofclaim 22 wherein the kiosk includes a screen displaying a menu of saidapplication programs.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein saidapplication program selection means located at the common use accessterminal comprises a touch screen on the kiosk.
 25. The method of claim21 wherein the storage sub-system includes a carousel containing aplurality of storage bins.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein saidcarousel comprises a carousel including a set of doors in front of saidstorage bins operable in accordance with control software used by aselected application program.
 27. The method of claim 21 wherein saidone or more application programs include at least one applicationprogram for controlling the storage sub-system.
 28. The method of claim21 wherein said one or more application programs include an applicationprogram for buying postage at the common use access terminal.
 29. Themethod of claim 21 wherein said one or more application programs includeat least one application program for controlling access to a storagedevice of the storage web-system and at least one application programfor buying postage at the common use access terminal.
 30. The method ofclaim 21 wherein said one or more application programs include a packagepick-up application, a package exchange application, a postage buyingapplication, and a club type application for pick-up and delivery. 31.The method of claim 21 wherein said one or more application programinclude a package pick-up application server program, including thesteps of: selecting said package pick-up application program by a userat the common use terminal; requesting tracking number information fromthe user by a package pick-up application server program using anActiveX control of the browser in the common use access terminal;inputting a tracking PIN number by the user at the common use accessterminal via a bar code reader or a touch screen; validating theinformation by the package pick-up web server application program;sending a request for an ActiveX control to the browser by the packagepick-up server application program to open a door of a storage device inthe storage sub-system by said ActiveX control; opening the door infront of a bin containing the package tracking number using ActiveXcontrol of the browser, receiving a pick-up confirmation command fromthe common use access terminal by the package pick-up application serverprogram; returning a screen at the common use access terminal to a mainscreen containing a manual of the one or more software applicationprograms; and clearing a memory of the data relating to the packagepick-up application program inputted by the user for a subsequentapplication.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the common use terminalcomprises a kiosk.
 33. The method of claim 21 wherein said one or moreapplication programs include a package exchange application serverprogram, including the steps of: selecting said package exchangeapplication server program by a user at the common use terminal;requesting a PIN ID number from the user by said exchange applicationserver program using an ActiveX control of the browser in the common useaccess terminal; inputting the PIN ID number by the user actuable meansat the common use access terminal via a PIN pad or touch screen;validating PIN information by the exchange application server program;the exchange application server program sending a request for an ActiveXcontrol to the browser to open a door of a storage device of the storagesub-system; opening the door containing the PIN ID package using ActiveXcontrols of the browser; receiving a pick-up confirmation command by theexchange application server program from the user access terminal;returning a screen located at the common use access terminal to a screencontaining a menu of said one or more application programs; and clearinga memory containing data relating to user input information for thepackage exchange application program for a subsequent application. 34.The method of claim 33 wherein the common use terminal comprises akiosk.
 35. The method of claim 21 wherein said one or more applicationprograms include an application server program for a club typeapplication including the steps of: selecting the club type applicationserver program by the user at the common use terminal; requesting clubmember information from a magnetic card of a user by the club typeapplication server program using an ActiveX control of the browser inthe common use access terminal; swiping the card in a card reader at thecommon use access terminal; validating the member information by theclub type server application program; the club type server applicationprogram sending a request for ActiveX control to the browser to open adoor of a storage device of the storage sub-system; opening the doorcontaining a package requested by the member using ActiveX controls ofthe browser; receiving a pick-up confirmation command by the club typeapplication server program from the common use access terminal;returning a screen located at the common use access terminal to a screendisplay containing a menu of the one or more application programs; andclearing a memory containing data related to the information inputted bythe user at the beginning of the club type application program for asubsequent application.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein the commonuse terminal comprises a kiosk.
 37. The method of claim 21 wherein saidone or more application programs comprises a postage buying applicationserver program, including the steps of: selecting the buying postageapplication server program by the user at the common use terminal;requesting credit information from a magnetic card of the user by saidbuying postage application server program using an ActiveX control ofthe browser in the common use access terminal; swiping the magnetic cardat a card reader located at the common use access terminal; validatingcredit information by said buying postage application server program;sending a request for an ActiveX control to the browser by the postageapplication server program to print postage; printing postage at thecommon use access terminal by ActiveX control; receiving a printconfirmation command by the postage application server from the commonuse terminal; returning a screen located at the common use accessterminal to a menu containing said one or more applications; andclearing a memory of the data entered by the user at the beginning ofthe purchase postage application for a subsequent application.
 38. Themethod of claim 37 wherein the common use terminal comprises a kiosk.